A decision paper has been published (16 January 2020) that outlines the work that will take place to assess the Hereford bypass and Southern link road schemes while carrying out a wider review of the transport strategy for Hereford.
Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said:
“We need to ensure any major transport scheme has a positive impact on the county to address congestion and air quality, and is consistent with the council’s declaration of a climate emergency. We have also broadened the scope of the review to examine alternative transport options in light of the changing national and local policy context. These schemes have a permanent impact upon the environment which last for generations to come, so we must make the right decision.”
“This review gives us the opportunity to consider options that deliver improvements more quickly, including the possibility of an eastern link road and river crossing, removal of traffic lights on key routes, emergency response arrangements to remove breakdowns on the A49, an electric bus fleet for the urban bus network and improvements that provide safer routes to school.”
While the review is under way a number of transport and travel schemes will be progressing, including the development of a high quality transport hub at Hereford railway station and improvements to public spaces and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians across the city.
The decision will be taken by Cllr Harrington on Friday 24 January 2020. The review is expected to take around six months to complete and will include consultation with the public and stakeholder organisations.
For more information and to read the report, please visit the Herefordshire Council website.